Our God is so incredibly faithful. Just about 3 weeks ago, I took the leap and made my decision public with a social media post. “I am leaving for three months and I need $6000!” My hope was to have $4000 of that goal by the time August rolled around. I knew I would be cutting it close… Never would I have imagined the abundant provision that caused me to be entirely funded… in 13 days.
I never believed I would be the one to go overseas, leave the comfort of home, to reach the lost and lead the directionless. I love what I do here in Keokuk, but it always has that safety- it’s here! Family is here. Home is here. My church, my friends, my favorite restaurants. The streets I’ve always known. My safe little bubble allows me to go and be bold to my students, and then I can retreat back into safety. I don’t ask God for much, and I never really question that everything will be okay.
But some weird stuff happens and now I am going overseas and I have to depend on Him… and worse. OTHER PEOPLE TO MEET MY NEEDS. Last I checked, the FDIC doesn’t accept the currency of heaven.
I have to laugh at myself. I preach to students every week about the Goodness of God. He is a Good Father, He supplies Good gifts. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than you could ask, think, hope or imagine. He will never lead you somewhere and forget you. Yet, here I was- forgetting all of that to cast worry on “how am I going to do this?” As if I had done anything by myself up until this point. Thankfully, God has more grace.
I made a SINGLE post, many people responded quickly- people I haven’t spoken to since High School. People I barely spoke to one time, some people I didn’t even know. And I cried. I wept. I had to go excuse myself to a private place because I couldn’t even cry silently. I was entirely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from all of these people. But again, isn’t that the whole nature of the Body of Christ? It’s how we are supposed to function- as a UNIT. Going and doing the work of The Lord, and being supported by one another. And boy, was I supported.
Fully funded in 13 days.
Part of the training happening in the month and a half leading up to leaving is me meeting with a lot of people from Adventures in Missions. Including the Partnership and Development Manager, Jennifer. Basically, she helps people who are support raising on how to do this well and to trust God in the process. Our first meeting, I told her I was over 2/3rds fundraised. She laughed and said, “Well that’s God for you.”
It is, isn’t it? When we can’t see a way, He makes one. Illuminates our path and makes the impossible a reality. This post isn’t really about fundraising, that’s just the easiest thing to quantify. But if I could tell you ALL the ways God has provided for me already, I think it would feel like an additional chapter added into the book of Acts! It feels like a straight up miracle because in many ways, it has been.
I write all of this of course to say from the deepest parts of my heart and soul thank you everyone. But also I want to take this moment to encourage someone reading this. I don’t know your life and story, and I don’t know what you’re missing right now. But I know my God; even when I forget and feel like I have to do it all on my own. If you’re needing an intervention from heaven, please, take the leap. Let go of it, release your grasp on trying to control everything, and let God do what only He can do. Amanda’s plan was to use savings to try and cover the cost of what I need to do. But God didn’t need my savings, He needed my yes. When I said yes and let go, He could get to work. The best advice I can give is to say get out of the way, and let God do what only He can do. So much more than I could ever understand. God is faithful to provide. He works all things together for those who love Him. He is faithful and will never leave you abandon you or forsake you.
Thank you to everyone who has given to me. Thank you for the prayer and encouragement and excitement you’ve shared with me. I am blessed by God through your investment.
Thank you guys for reading. God bless,
Amanda
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